Managing the configuration of a vehicle

Abstract

Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to managing the configuration of a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of modifying the configuration of a vehicle based on the vehicle's location is provided. The method includes receiving, from a remote Satellite Positioning System (“SPS”) device, positioning data that identifies the location of the vehicle. Then, the positioning data is used to identify one or more regulations that are applicable, given the location of the vehicle. Based on collected vehicle readings, a determination is made regarding whether the configuration of the vehicle should be modified. In turn, the method may cause the configuration of the vehicle to be modified to comply with the one or more regulations.

1. A method implemented in computer-executable instructions of managing the configuration of a vehicle based on positioning data, the method comprising:
 receiving, from a remote SPS device, positioning data that identifies a location of the vehicle; 
 identifying one or more regulations that are applicable based on the location of the vehicle, wherein the one or more regulations vary between different locations, and wherein the one or more regulations are associated with regulation data; 
 collecting actual vehicle readings; 
 comparing the actual vehicle readings to the regulation data to determine whether the configuration of the vehicle should be modified to comply with the one or more regulations; and 
 if a determination is made to modify the configuration of the vehicle, transmitting a message to a corresponding vehicle controller to implement the modification. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein identifying one or more regulations that are applicable, given the location of the vehicle, includes assessing data that describes the one or more regulations from a remote network location. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the configuration of the vehicle should be modified to comply with the one or more regulations includes:
 identifying a vehicle weight from the actual vehicle readings; 
 comparing the vehicle weight to the applicable weight regulation; and 
 if the vehicle weight is over the limit defined in the weight regulation, causing the lift axle to be deployed. 
 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the configuration of the vehicle should be modified to comply with the one or more regulations includes:
 identifying a vehicle speed from the actual vehicle readings; 
 comparing the vehicle speed to the applicable speed limit; and 
 if the vehicle speed is over the speed limit, causing a speed limit restrictor to reduce the speed of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the configuration of the vehicle should be modified to comply with the one or more regulations includes:
 determining whether the vehicle's location corresponds to a new jurisdiction with more stringent idle emission regulations than a previous jurisdiction; and 
 if the idle emission regulations of the new jurisdiction is more stringent, modifying the emission settings of the engine to comply with the regulations. 
 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the configuration of the vehicle should be modified to comply with the one or more regulations includes:
 determining whether the vehicle's location corresponds to a jurisdiction that has a regulation requiring that the vehicle's headlamps be activated; and 
 if the jurisdiction has a regulation that the vehicle's headlamps be activated, causing a lighting controller to activate the vehicle's headlamps. 
 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein transmitting a message to a corresponding vehicle controller to implement the modification includes performing a database lookup to identify a modification to the vehicle's configuration needed to comply with the regulation. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus operative to modify the configuration of a vehicle based on positioning data, comprising:
 one or more processors; 
 an SPS interface operative to receive location identifying information from a positioning system; 
 a computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the apparatus to:
 store a set of regulation data describing one or more regulations that may apply depending on the vehicle's location; 
 collect actual vehicle readings; 
 compare the actual vehicle readings to stored regulation data corresponding to the vehicle's location to determine whether the vehicle is compliant with the one ore more regulations; and 
 if the vehicle is non-compliant, modify the configuration of the vehicle to comply with the one or more regulations. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , further including a network interface for communicating with a remote device using IP-based protocols and wherein to store a set of regulation data describing one or more regulations includes obtaining the regulation data from the remote device. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein to modify the configuration of the vehicle to comply with the one or more regulations includes performing at least one modification from the group of deploying a lift axle, reducing the vehicle speed, activation headlamps, and changing engine emission settings. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , further configured to determine whether the vehicle's configuration is in an overly compliant state, and wherein if the vehicle is in the overly compliant state to modify the configuration of the vehicle to transition the vehicle to a compliant state. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein to transition the vehicle to the compliant state includes performing at least one modification from the group of retracting a lift axle and changing engine emission settings. 
     
     
       13. A system having computer executable components for managing the configuration of a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a data collection component operative to collect data that describes vehicle conditions from a plurality of sources; 
 a storage component that stores a set of regulation data describing one or more regulations that vary between locations; 
 a positioning component for identifying a location of the vehicle using a SPS positioning system; 
 a configuration component operative to modify the configuration of the vehicle to prevent a violation if a determination is made that the configuration of the vehicle should be modified to comply with the one ore more regulations. 
 
     
     
       14. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the storage component stores regulation data associated with a plurality of jurisdictions including at least one regulation from the group of a weigh limit restriction, an emission idle standard, and a headlamp lighting regulation. 
     
     
       15. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the storage component stores route data that includes speed limits for a plurality of roadways. 
     
     
       16. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the storage component stores configuration data describing configuration settings of vehicle components that are needed to comply with each of the one or more regulations. 
     
     
       17. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein to modify the configuration of the vehicle to prevent a violation includes performing at least one modification from the group of deploying a lift axle, reducing the vehicle speed, activation headlamps, and changing engine emissions settings. 
     
     
       18. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein to modify the configurations of the vehicle to prevent a violation includes transmitting a message to a corresponding vehicle controller that is responsible for implementing the modification.